Union EU debate sees hundreds wondering, in or out?

As the cold winds of winter swept across Oxford, 100s of bedraggled, overworked and somnambulant students crouched, hunched and shivered in the distant hope of getting into the EU debate at the Oxford Union. Hours passed and the queue grew from a band of keen intrepid first arrivals at 2pm to a continuous line stretching to St Peter’s College.

No one came out to count them. No one told half of them they couldn’t get in.

Those that did get in were unpleasantly surprised to see a full eight rows reserved for Union Committee and guests (eight?!).

Some frostbitten students took to the event’s Facebook page to vent their frustration, with choice comments including:

“IS THIS A JOKE? I understand that there is a limited capacity but it’s absolutely ridiculous to make people wait in the cold until 15 minutes before the emergency debate begins before cutting the queue again. How is it possible that there is not one person on the committee who could count to 450 and let us get back to our work? We’re not paying £250 to freeze on the street for 3 hours +”

Another pissed off member commented on the Facebook event: “The only benefit I can take from my hours of queueing in the cold is the lovely warm Maccies I had.” #SiverLinings?

Someone’s even made a change.org petition (maybe a bit far?). Maybe the Union will consider ballots for events in future. Members have work, it’s cold, and they paid over £200 to join… they’d probably appreciate a bit of care and attention.

The only thing colder than the poor sod’s queueing tonight was Nigel’s pre-debate pint…

Guys, one place you’ll never have to queue for is my LEGENDARY table at BRIDGE! Everyone is welcome to come and discuss the week’s scandals with me over several bottles of Belvedere. Just say my name on the door because everybody there knows who I am. X

*Serious Post, sorry* The deadline for registering to vote is TOMORROW and the govt is conducting boundary reviews on the basis of who is on the electoral roll. The current figures for students (everyone was taken off the roll this summer) registered is 1%. 1%. 99% of students are currently unregistered. 60% of young people voted at the last election. If we want MPs that respond to young people, or constituencies that better reflect the population of an area, please take 5 mins to register yourself and tell your friends.

I know I’ve been hounding you about registering to vote and to be honest it’s leaving me a bit husky. However, we can’t be cavalier about the choices facing this country and that’s why I’m so dogged about people doing this. Don’t leave Britain in a ruff state come 2020.

I’m surprised the debates are still being attended without my famous floor speeches! It’s a shame I couldn’t be there for one of my classic photos with Niamh (please see my profile pictures for previous innocuous photographs with female Union officers). Regardless, I think we all know that this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for that traitor Joe Miles

As a half-Asian male feminist I must say I am disgusted and yet unsurprised by this latest act of violence against the people of Oxford. I’ve always hated the Union (despite desperately trying to ingratiate myself unsuccessfully for years, then failing to become RO – that was all a ruse) and I’ve always been a staunch left-wing SJW (despite being thrown out of OUCA for shouting “shame for being a woman!” and being too offensive for even an all-male colonial drinking society).